Beyoncé released ‘Cowboy Carter’ album one year ago: A look back
It’s been one year since Beyoncé released her eighth studio album, “Cowboy Carter.” Here’s a look back at the album’s impactful year.
- Beyoncé’s album “Cowboy Carter” was released a year ago to critical acclaim and commercial success
- The album broke numerous records and won the Grammy for album of the year
- “Cowboy Carter” also sparked a conversation about Black artists in country music and the genre’s roots
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter released her eighth studio album “Cowboy Carter” a year ago, and it has proved groundbreaking in more ways than one.
The megastar first released the 27-track project March 29, 2024. As Beyoncé’s first country album, she made sure to feature country legends such as Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and country music pioneer Linda Martell. She also collaborated with crossover artists such as Miley Cyrus and Post Malone, as well as emerging Black country artists such as Shaboozey, Willie Jones, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Reyna Roberts and Tiera Kennedy.
The album became a catalyst for the renewed spotlight on Black country artists and the genre’s Black roots. “Cowboy Carter” has challenged music industry norms and sparked important conversations pertaining to the intersection of race and country music.
On the one-year anniversary of “Cowboy Carter,” here’s a look back at 19 significant moments from its trailblazing year.
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- Beyoncé shocked fans by announcing the album and releasing singles “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” in a surprise Super Bowl commercial in February 2024.
- Beyoncé became first Black woman to top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart after her single “Texas Hold ‘Em” debuted at No. 1.
- Simultaneously, the song held the No. 1 spot on seven of Billboard’s charts: Hot 100, Hot Country Songs, Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, Hot Gospel Songs, Hot Latin Songs, Hot R&B Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
- Within a week of its release, “Texas Hold ‘Em” debuted at No. 54 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.
- Beyoncé also became the first woman to top both Hot Country Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs since the lists’ inception.
- Beyoncé made history again as the first Black woman to debut at No. 1 on Billboard’s top country albums chart.
- “Cowboy Carter” also reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Americana/folk albums and top album sales charts.
- “Cowboy Carter” was snubbed at the 2024 Country Music Association Awards, receiving zero nominations. However, the album earned 12 nominations at the 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards, making Beyoncé the leading nominee.
- Beyoncé then took home her first country music award for top country female artist at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards.
- Beyoncé put on an NFL halftime performance during the Texans-Ravens game on Christmas Day, dubbed “A Cowboy Carter Christmas.” The live performance drew 27 million U.S. viewers, according to Netflix.
- Beyoncé became the leading nominee at the 2025 Grammy Awards after the album scored 11 nominations.
- The “Cowboy Carter” nominations also allowed Beyoncé to become the most nominated artist in the show’s history with a total of 99 career nods.
- Her nominations included five awards in the country and American roots field — her first in that category.
- Country music pioneer Linda Martell earned her first Grammy nomination for her feature on “Spaghettii.”
- Beyoncé won the award for best country duo/group performance for “II Most Wanted” with Miley Cyrus, making history as the first Black female solo artist to win a Grammy for a country song. The Pointer Sisters won in a similar category in 1975.
- Beyoncé took home best country album at the Grammy Awards. It was the first time a Black woman was nominated and won in the category.
- The “Cowboy Carter” creator also took home the top prize of the evening, album of the year. She joined only three other Black women in the show’s history to earn the honor.
- Beyoncé announced her highly anticipated Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit Tour for the award-winning album.
- She quickly made history with the tour. She stands to set the record for most shows by any artist on a single run at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. She’ll also become the act with the most performances at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
The Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit Tour will kick off April 28 in Los Angeles. Since the initial announcement, Beyoncé has added a handful of shows including final shows in Las Vegas.
Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network’s Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.
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